New England power firm Avangrid introduced plans to buy 130 new diesel-electric hybrid bucket vehicles as half of a bigger procurement plan to affect the utility service fleets of its subsidiary firms.
Every time we discuss plug-in hybrids or range-extended EVs, it may be powerful to differentiate between a real effort to cut back dangerous carbon emissions and company greenwashing. On this case, nevertheless, it looks as if Avangrid’s improvement of a diesel-electric hybrid answer is sensible – particularly when you think about the truth that these vehicles could have to function for hours on finish in areas that will not have prepared entry to electrical energy for a number of days.
In contrast to the totally electrical bucket vehicles we’ve coated earlier than, these vehicles use a standard Freightliner M2 chassis and Tier 4 Closing diesel powertrain to get from A to B, however makes use of a big onboard battery to effectively energy and management the Altec-supplied bucket arm. This allows the truck’s operator(s) to maintain working with out idling the diesel – and meaning a major discount in diesel emissions the place folks stay and work.
What’s extra, Avangrid work crews can can preserve the cabin heated or cooled throughout extreme climate utilizing solely the saved battery, additional decreasing gas use and carbon emissions in comparison with typical diesels.
“It’s essential that Avangrid lives its values as a number one sustainable firm and drives innovation throughout the enterprise. On this case, we’re increasing our use of recent applied sciences that can make us extra power environment friendly,” explains Avangrid CEO, Pedro Azagra. “Hybrid automobiles can even enhance the well being and security of our workers and the communities we serve, whereas preserving Avangrid’s means to answer emergencies in our service space and past.”
Avangrid plans to place these hybrid vehicles in service all through the northeast, with firms like NYSEG (proven, at high) and the village of Freeport, NY, among the many first to deploy hybrid bucket vehicles. Freeport says its lone hybrid truck will save between 30% and 50% on gas prices, and scale back the municipality’s CO2 emissions as much as 10 tons yearly all by itself. Do that very same math 130 occasions, and also you’ll begin to perceive why Avangrid clients could be respiration somewhat bit simpler as soon as these vehicles get on the street.
Avangrid goals to transform 60% of its heavy-duty fleet to low-emission and various fuels, and 100% of its light-duty fleet to battery electrical energy by 2030.
Electrek’s Take
Over at The Heavy Gear Podcast, we had an opportunity to speak to the fellows from Tempest Storm Leases about a number of the gear they use and the way they put it to work to revive energy after excessive climate occasions. It was my first publicity to a number of the diversified whys and hows that go into choosing the gear property they handle, and I believe it would assist clarify a number of the causes I’m going a bit simpler on these guys than you may anticipate.
That stated: Avangrid can do higher than 130 hybrids, and must observe the higher instance of utilities like SoCal Edison and ComEd and do extra to assist its clients electrify.
SOURCES | IMAGES: Avangrid, Village of Freeport.
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